U.S. patent application number 10/840899 was filed with the patent office on 2005-11-10 for vehicle seat incorporating a seat back panel.
This patent application is currently assigned to Lear Corporation. Invention is credited to Dodge, Chris, Prasatek, Anthony Adam.
Application Number | 20050248189 10/840899 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35238803 |
Filed Date | 2005-11-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050248189 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Prasatek, Anthony Adam ; et
al. |
November 10, 2005 |
Vehicle seat incorporating a seat back panel
Abstract
A vehicle seat includes a seat bottom and a seat back including
a frame connected to the seat bottom. The seat back includes a
front surface configured to support an occupant and a rear surface.
A seat back panel securable to the seat back frame includes an
outer appearance surface and a retainer structure disposed on an
inner surface. The retainer structure is releasably secured to the
seat back frame such that the seat back panel at least partially
covers an opening in the rear surface of the seat back.
Inventors: |
Prasatek, Anthony Adam;
(Rochester, MI) ; Dodge, Chris; (Clawson,
MI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BROOKS KUSHMAN P.C. / LEAR CORPORATION
1000 TOWN CENTER
TWENTY-SECOND FLOOR
SOUTHFIELD
MI
48075-1238
US
|
Assignee: |
Lear Corporation
Southfield
MI
|
Family ID: |
35238803 |
Appl. No.: |
10/840899 |
Filed: |
May 7, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
297/188.04 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60N 2/68 20130101; B60N
2/64 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
297/188.04 |
International
Class: |
A47C 007/62 |
Claims
1. A vehicle seat comprising: a seat bottom; a seat back including
a having a pair of side frame members connected to the seat bottom
and a top frame member extending between the side frame members, a
front surface configured to support an occupant and, a rear
surface; and a seat back panel securable to the seat back frame,
the seat back panel including an outer appearance surface and a
retainer structure on an inner surface, the retainer structure
having more than one retainer clip releasably secured to the top
and side frame members of the seat back frame such that the seat
back panel at least partially covers an opening in the rear surface
of the seat back.
2. (canceled)
3. The vehicle seat of claim 1, and wherein the retainer structure
of the seat back panel further comprises a mounting arm provided
adjacent an upper portion of the seat back panel adapted to engage
the top frame member of the seat back.
4. The vehicle seat of claim 1 wherein the retainer structure of
the seat back panel further comprises a pair of retainer clips
provided adjacent an upper portion of the seat back panel
releasably engaging the seat back frame.
5. The vehicle seat of claim 1 wherein the retainer structure of
the seat back panel further comprises an opposing pair of clips
releasably engaging opposing side frame members of the seat back
frame.
6. The vehicle seat of claim 1 wherein the seat back panel is
formed from a polymeric material as a one-piece structure.
7. The vehicle seat of claim 6 wherein the retainer structure is
integrally formed into the inner surface of the seat back
panel.
8. The vehicle seat of claim 1 wherein the retainer structure is
secured to the inner surface of the seat back panel.
9. The vehicle seat of claim 8 wherein the retainer structure is
secured to the inner surface of the seat back panel by heat
staking.
10. The vehicle seat of claim 1 wherein the seat back includes a
cover placed over the seat back frame to support the occupant of
the seat.
11. The vehicle seat of claim 10 wherein the cover comprises a
polymeric membrane disposed over a padding layer.
12. The vehicle seat of claim 1 further comprising a head rest
adjustably positioned relative to and secured to the seat back
frame.
13. A seat back panel releasably secured to a frame in a seat back
of a vehicle seat, the seat back panel comprising: an outer
appearance surface having a storage area defined therein; an inner
surface; and a retainer structure disposed on the inner surface of
the seat back panel, the retainer structure including more than one
retainer clip releasably engaging a seat back frame and a mounting
arm provided adjacent an upper portion of the seat back panel
adapted to engage the seat back frame such that the seat back panel
is releasably secured to the seat back frame and at least partially
covers an opening in the a surface of the seat back.
14. The seat back panel of claim 13 wherein the seat back frame
includes a pair of side frame members connected to a seat bottom
and a top frame member extending between the side frame
members.
15. The seat back panel of claim 13 wherein the retainer structure
further comprises a pair of retainer clips provided adjacent an
upper portion of the seat back panel releasably engaging the seat
back frame.
16. The seat back panel of claim 14 wherein the retainer structure
further comprises an opposing pair of clips releasably engaging
opposing side frame members of the seat back frame.
17. The seat back panel of claim 13 wherein the retainer structure
is integrally formed into the inner surface of the seat back
panel.
18. The seat back panel of claim 13 wherein the retainer structure
is secured to the inner surface of the seat back panel.
19. The seat back panel of claim 18 wherein the retainer structure
is secured to the inner surface of the seat back panel by heat
staking.
20. A method of assembling a seat back panel to a vehicle seat, the
method comprising the steps of: providing a seat back including a
frame, a front surface configured to support an occupant and a rear
surface having an opening; providing a seat back panel having an
outer appearance surface and a retaining structure on an inner
surface, the retaining structure including at least one retaining
clip; positioning the inner surface of the seat back panel adjacent
the opening in the rear surface of the seat back; inserting the
retaining structure into the opening in the rear surface of the
seat back; and securing the at least one retaining clip to the seat
back frame such that the seat back panel at least partially covers
the opening in the rear surface of the seat back panel.
21. The seat back panel of claim 13 wherein the seat back panel is
formed from a polymeric material as a one-piece structure.
22. A vehicle seat comprising: a seat bottom; a seat back including
a frame having a pair of side frame members connected to the seat
bottom and a top frame member extending between the side frame
members, a front surface configured to support an occupant and, a
rear surface; and a seat back panel securable to the seat back
frame, the seat back panel including an outer appearance surface
and a retainer structure on an inner surface such that the seat
back panel is releasably secured to the seat back frame and at
least partially covers an opening in the rear surface of the seat
back, wherein the retainer structure includes a mounting arm
provided adjacent an upper portion of the seat back panel adapted
to engage the top frame member of the seat back, a pair of retainer
clips provided adjacent an upper portion of the seat back panel
releasably engaging the top frame member, and an opposing pair of
clips releasably engaging the opposing side frame members of the
seat back frame.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to improvements in vehicle
seat assemblies, and more particularly to a vehicle seat back
incorporating a seat back panel.
[0003] 2. Background Art
[0004] Generally, vehicle seats are formed as an assembly of
elements including internal structural support mechanisms attached
to a bottom and back frame member so as to extend across the
seating area, a padding layer positioned over the support mechanism
and the frame, and a finish seat covering sewn to provide the final
protective and aesthetic appearance of the seat.
[0005] While such a seat assembly has proven satisfactory for many
vehicles, the need to develop vehicles having lower manufacturing
costs and better fuel efficiency has heightened the need to provide
vehicle component designs that simplify manufacturing processes
while also lowering overall vehicle weight. Such considerations are
also critical in designing alternative fuel vehicles. However, such
reduced weight components must still provide structural rigidity to
the seat to meet vehicle safety standards.
[0006] One area for reducing the weight of a vehicle is provide
lower weight vehicle seats. However, because conventional vehicle
seat assemblies require providing separate and assembling separate
structural components, it is difficult to meet to the above-noted
design goals. Further, it is difficult to perform maintenance on
seat assemblies once installed in a vehicle passenger
compartment.
[0007] Accordingly, a need exists for a vehicle seat assembly that
reduces overall weight of the seat while increasing structural
rigidity. In addition, a need exists for a vehicle seat design that
allows for maintenance of the vehicle seat once installed in the
passenger compartment of the vehicle.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] Accordingly, a vehicle seat includes a seat bottom and a
seat back including a frame connected to the seat bottom. The seat
back includes a front surface configured to support an occupant and
a rear surface. A seat back panel securable to the seat back frame
includes an outer appearance surface and a retainer structure
disposed on an inner surface. The retainer structure includes at
least one retainer clip releasably secured to the seat back frame
such that the seat back panel at least partially covers an opening
in the rear surface of the seat back. The retainer structure may be
integrally formed into the inner surface of the seat back panel or
may be secured to the panel by a variety of fastening methods.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view of a vehicle passenger
seat incorporating a seat back panel in accordance with the present
invention;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a rear plan view of the vehicle seat with the seat
back panel removed;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the seat back panel in
accordance with the present invention;
[0012] FIG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of a top frame
retainer clip of the seat back panel;
[0013] FIG. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of a corner frame
retainer clip of the seat back panel; and
[0014] FIG. 6 is a fragmentary perspective view of a side frame
retainer clip of the seat back panel in accordance with the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)
[0015] Referring now to FIG. 1, a vehicle seat assembly 10 is
illustrated having a seat bottom 12 and a pivotally connected seat
back 14. Seat bottom 12 is conventional in design and can be
constructed in accordance with any known manner. Seat bottom 12
generally includes a structural frame (not shown) covered by an
outer finish cover material 16 extending about a foam pad layer or
other suitable seating material. It is contemplated that cover
material 16 may include fabric, vinyl, leather or other materials
used in the vehicle passenger compartments based on manufacturing
requirements. The upper portion of seat bottom 12 is designed to
support the lower body portions of an occupant of the vehicle.
[0016] Seat bottom 12 includes a base 18 adjustably mounted to a
support assembly 20. As shown in FIG. 1, support assembly comprises
a pair of rails 20 mounted to the floor 22 of the vehicle. Each
rail 20 includes a channel 24 extending longitudinally through the
rail which receives a sliding mechanism (not shown) connected to a
lower surface of base 18. Base 18 is adjustable along the pair of
rails 20 forward or rearward relative to the vehicle floor 22.
Alternatively, base 18 of seat bottom 12 may be mounted directly to
the vehicle floor 22 in a stationary position.
[0017] Referring additionally to FIG. 2, seat back 14 includes a
frame 26 preferably formed from a lightweight material such as
polycarbonate fiber or aluminum. In a preferred embodiment, frame
26 is formed as a one-piece, hollow tubular structure having
substantially vertical opposing side frame members 28, 30 pivotally
connected to base 18 of seat bottom 12. A top frame member 32
extends between upper portions of side frame members 28, 30.
[0018] In one aspect of the invention, opposing side frame members
28, 30 of seat back 14 may be pivotally adjustable relative to seat
bottom 12 by reclining mechanism 34. Alternatively, a bottom frame
member 36 extending between side frame members 28, 30 and disposed
opposite top frame member 32 may provide additional structural
support for side frame members 28, 30 and cooperate with reclining
mechanism 34 to adjust seat back 14 relative to seat bottom 12. It
is also understood that seat back 14 may be fixedly connected to
seat bottom 12.
[0019] Seat back 14 includes a headrest 38 adjustable relative to
seat back 14. Headrest 38 includes a pair of arms 40 secured to
receiving portions 42 on a top surface of the seat back 14.
Alternatively, arms 40 may be secured to the top frame member 32 of
seat back frame 26. Headrest 38 may be pivotally and vertically
adjustable relative to seat back 14. Alternatively, seat back 14
may have an integrally formed headrest portion or may exclude a
headrest.
[0020] Referring additionally now to FIG. 3, a seat back panel 44
is removably secured over an opening 46 in a rear surface 48 of
seat back 14. Seat back panel 44 is preferably molded from a
polymeric material as a one-piece support structure having an outer
appearance surface 50 and an inner mounting surface 52 facing an
inner portion of the seat back 14. Opening 46 in the rear surface
48 of seat back 14 allows access to components on the inside of
seat back 14, including wireframe support structure 54, cover
terminating portions 56 and padding layer 58 extending over frame
26 of seat back 14 for maintenance purposes. A cover material 60
extends over padding layer 58 and cooperates with frame 26 and
support structure 54 to define a front surface supporting an upper
body portion of a vehicle seat occupant. Cover material 60 is
similar to cover material 16 of seat bottom 12.
[0021] Outer appearance surface 50 of seat back panel 44 includes a
user accessible storage area 62. FIG. 1 illustrates a storage
pocket 62 formed of a polymeric or cloth fabric which extends
across a channel 64 formed in outer surface 50. Storage pocket 62
defines an opening to channel 64 which allows a user to store a
variety of items securely within. It is understood that outer
appearance surface 50 may be designed to accommodate a variety of
features, such as storage hooks or handles assisting occupants in
entering and exiting a passenger compartment of a vehicle.
[0022] Referring now to FIGS. 3-6, inner mounting surface 52 of
seat back panel 44 includes a seat back panel retaining structure
66 provided adjacent an upper portion 68 of panel 44. Retaining
structure 66 includes one or more mounting clips 70 which
releasably engage frame 26 to secure panel 44 over the opening in
the rear surface of the seat back. Mounting clips 70 are sized to
receive a variety of different geometries and sizes of frames 26.
Stops 72 provided on a lower portion 74 of the inner surface 52 of
panel 44 engage the lower portion 74 of panel 44 to a receiving
surface on the seat back. It is understood that fasteners may be
substituted for stops 72 to engage a corresponding fastener portion
on the receiving surface of the seat back.
[0023] Seat back panel 44 is molded from a polymeric material as a
semi-rigid panel. In one aspect of the present invention, retaining
structure 66 is a separate structure that is secured to the inner
surface 52 of panel 44 by heat staking. It is understood that a
variety of other adhering or securing processes may also be used,
such as ultrasonic welding or mechanical fastening. In another
aspect of the invention, retaining structure is integrally molded
as part of the inner surface of the seat back panel.
[0024] In a preferred aspect of the invention shown in FIGS. 3 and
4, an L-shaped upper mounting arm 70 is formed on retaining
structure 66 to receive the top frame member 32 of seat back frame
26. Upper mounting arm 70 includes a projection 76 extending from a
clip body 78. Projection 76 cooperates with top frame member 32 to
position panel 44 adjacent opening 46 in seat back 14. A passage 80
formed by projection 76, body 78 and the inner surface 52 of panel
44 receives the top frame member 32.
[0025] Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 5, a pair of retainer clips 82,
84 extend from retainer structure 66 adjacent the upper portion 68
of back seat panel 44. Retainer clips 82, 84 generally include a
clip body 86 extending from the retainer structure 66 and a finger
88 pivotally mounted to the clip body 86. Finger 88 is configured
to releasably engage the seat back frame 26 adjacent the top frame
member 32 and side frame member 28. Retainer clips 82, 84 create an
interference fit with the seat back frame 26.
[0026] Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 6, a pair of opposing clips 90,
92 extend from retainer structure 66 and are configured to engage
the opposing side frame member 28, 30 of seat back fame 26. Clips
90, 92 include an arm 94 extending from the retainer structure 66
and a stop 96 provided on an upper portion 98 of arm 94. Stop 96
extends over side frame member 28 to secure seat back panel 44 to
seat back frame 26.
[0027] Referring back to FIGS. 1-3, seat back panel 44 is secured
to the seat back 14 by positioning the inner surface 52 of panel 44
adjacent opening 46 in the rear surface 48 of seat back 14.
Retainer structure 66 is inserted through opening 46 such that
mounting arm 70 receives top frame member 32. Once mounting arm 70
engages top frame member 32, fingers 88 of retainer clips 82, 84
engage and secure seat back frame 26 adjacent clip body 86. Stops
96 of side retaining clips 90, 92 are then placed over side frame
member 28, 30. Once completed, seat back panel 44 is secured in
position over opening 46 and is finish mounted to the rear surface
48 of seat back 14.
[0028] While embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and
described, it is not intended that these embodiments illustrate and
describe all possible forms of the invention. Rather, the words
used in the specification are words of description rather than
limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made
without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
* * * * *